Roku Raises Revenue Forecast Amid Strong Q1 Performance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 07 2025
0mins
Source: SeekingAlpha
Roku Inc's stock price surged by 3.02% as it reached a 52-week high, reflecting strong investor confidence.
The company raised its 2026 platform revenue forecast from $4.89 billion to $5 billion, indicating a 21% growth. This announcement follows a strong Q1 performance where Roku's total net revenue increased by 22% year-over-year to $1.25 billion, surpassing management's expectations. The positive market reaction is attributed to the company's robust advertising and subscription revenue growth, alongside an increase in user adoption of its streaming platform.
This optimistic outlook, combined with the raised revenue guidance, positions Roku favorably in the competitive streaming market, potentially attracting more investors and enhancing its market presence.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ROKU?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ROKU
Wall Street analysts forecast ROKU stock price to fall
23 Analyst Rating
19 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 131.090
Low
100.00
Averages
123.10
High
145.00
Current: 131.090
Low
100.00
Averages
123.10
High
145.00
About ROKU
Roku, Inc. is a TV streaming platform in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Company connects viewers to the content they love, enables content publishers to build and monetize audiences through advertising and subscriptions, and provides advertisers with capabilities to reach and engage consumers. The Company's segments include Advertising, Subscriptions, and Devices. The Company's Advertising segment includes the sale of digital advertising, including direct and programmatic video advertising, ads integrated into its user interface (UI), and related services. The Company's Subscriptions segment includes the sale of subscriptions to end users. The Company's Devices segment includes the sale of streaming players, Roku-made TVs, smart home products and services, audio products, and related accessories. The Company also owns and operates The Roku Channel, the home of premium and free entertainment; Howdy, a low-cost subscription service; and Frndly TV, a live TV streaming service.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Roku Unveils New Smart Home Screen Enhancing User Experience
- User Experience Enhancement: Roku's new Home Screen will soon reach over 100 million streaming households, significantly reducing search time through more relevant recommendations and faster content access pathways, thereby improving user satisfaction and engagement.
- Personalized Recommendations: The new Home Screen offers personalized content suggestions based on user interests, with 82% of streamers expressing a desire to see their desired shows immediately upon turning on their TV, which will enhance user loyalty and viewing experience.
- Intelligent Design: With billions of possible combinations, Roku's intelligence models select the best option for users every time they turn on their TV, ensuring quick access to preferred content and enhancing the platform's competitive edge.
- Global Expansion Plan: The new Home Screen is rolling out today across all Roku TVs and streaming devices in the U.S., with plans for expansion to additional countries in the coming months, marking Roku's further positioning in the global market and growth of its user base.
See More
Enhanced Games Secures Over $32 Million in Sponsorships for Inaugural Event
- Sponsorship Value Surge: The Enhanced Games secured over $32 million in sponsorship agreements during its inaugural event, demonstrating its market appeal as an emerging sports property, which is expected to drive overall sports revenue to $31 million in 2026.
- Unique Market Positioning: Centered around scientific transparency and medically supervised performance enhancement, the Enhanced Games attracted numerous marquee brands, which recognized that they were not just purchasing ad placements but investing in a new global sports franchise with long-term brand equity potential.
- Broad Audience Reach: The event was streamed for free on the Roku Sports Channel to over 100 million households, and with global digital distribution through platforms like ZOOP and Rumble, partners gained access to a young, highly engaged audience that is difficult to reach through traditional sports channels.
- Future Commercial Opportunities: Following the success of the inaugural event, the Enhanced Games plans to actively pursue additional sponsorship agreements over the next seven months, anticipating a broader commercial base for future events, thereby establishing a solid commercial foundation.
See More
Roku Launches FOX One Subscription Service for FIFA 2026
- Subscription Service Expansion: Roku includes FOX One in its U.S. premium subscription service, charging $19.99 per month, providing access to news, sports, and every match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, significantly enhancing the diversity and appeal of content on The Roku Channel.
- Market Strategy Positioning: Roku's president of subscriptions, Gil Fuchsberg, stated that this addition aims to prepare for the biggest global sports event of the year, further solidifying Roku's competitive position in the streaming market and attracting more subscribers.
- Free Trial to Attract Users: FOX One offers a 3-day free trial for eligible customers, designed to lower the initial usage barrier, thereby increasing user conversion rates and boosting long-term subscriptions.
- Sports Content Integration: Through Roku Sports Zone, users can easily discover live sports content from FOX One, including dedicated soccer destinations, enhancing Roku's competitive edge in the live sports broadcasting sector.
See More
Roku Launches FOX One Premium Subscription Service
- Service Launch: Roku has introduced the FOX One premium subscription service on The Roku Channel in the U.S., allowing users to access FOX's news, entertainment, and sports content, including all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, for $19.99 per month, significantly enhancing user content choices and viewing experiences.
- World Cup Streaming Rights: As the official English-language streaming platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, FOX One offers live and on-demand access to all 104 matches, catering to user demand for global sports events while strengthening Roku's competitive position in the streaming market.
- Content Integration Benefits: With FOX One, users can easily access popular FOX entertainment shows and sports events, such as 'MasterChef' and 'Family Guy', further enriching Roku's Premium Subscriptions content library and enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.
- Technological Innovation Support: FOX One leverages Tubi Media Group's technological innovations to optimize user experience, making it easier for audiences to discover and enjoy content, marking Roku's ongoing commitment to simplifying streaming services and solidifying its market leadership.
See More
Roku's User Growth Fuels Advertising Revenue Surge
- User Account Growth: Roku has surpassed 100 million user accounts, driving advertising revenue growth, with total revenue increasing by 22% year-over-year despite a 16% decline in device sales, showcasing the success of its business transformation.
- Accelerated Advertising Revenue: Roku's expanded partnership with Google's DV360 ad-buying platform has boosted platform revenue by 28% year-over-year to over $1.1 billion, indicating strong demand in the advertising market during major sporting events.
- Strong Subscription Revenue: Roku's subscription revenue surged 30% year-over-year to $519 million, highlighting increased user stickiness and reinforcing its position as a TV operating system for households.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Despite cyclical fluctuations in the advertising market, Roku's continued growth in users, advertising, and subscriptions suggests significant upside potential, making it an attractive option for investors.
See More
Roku's Outlook Upgraded, Price Target Raised to $160
- Price Target Increase: Baird raised Roku's price target from $130 to $160 while maintaining an 'Outperform' rating, indicating strong confidence in the company's future performance, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Revenue Outlook Boost: Roku now expects a 21% growth in full-year platform revenue to $5 billion, up from a prior forecast of 18%, with this positive outlook driving a 10% increase in shares during after-hours trading.
- Quarterly Performance Exceeds Expectations: The first-quarter platform revenue rose 28% to $1.13 billion, surpassing LSEG estimates of $1.01 billion, demonstrating a significant shift in advertising spending towards connected TVs, thereby enhancing the company's market position.
- User Growth and Challenges: Roku surpassed 100 million streaming households globally, reflecting changes in viewing habits, but device revenue fell 16% year-over-year to $118 million, with the company warning that rising memory costs will pressure margins in the second half.
See More
Roku Unveils New Smart Home Screen Enhancing User Experience
- User Experience Enhancement: Roku's new Home Screen will soon reach over 100 million streaming households, significantly reducing search time through more relevant recommendations and faster content access pathways, thereby improving user satisfaction and engagement.
- Personalized Recommendations: The new Home Screen offers personalized content suggestions based on user interests, with 82% of streamers expressing a desire to see their desired shows immediately upon turning on their TV, which will enhance user loyalty and viewing experience.
- Intelligent Design: With billions of possible combinations, Roku's intelligence models select the best option for users every time they turn on their TV, ensuring quick access to preferred content and enhancing the platform's competitive edge.
- Global Expansion Plan: The new Home Screen is rolling out today across all Roku TVs and streaming devices in the U.S., with plans for expansion to additional countries in the coming months, marking Roku's further positioning in the global market and growth of its user base.
See More
Enhanced Games Secures Over $32 Million in Sponsorships for Inaugural Event
- Sponsorship Value Surge: The Enhanced Games secured over $32 million in sponsorship agreements during its inaugural event, demonstrating its market appeal as an emerging sports property, which is expected to drive overall sports revenue to $31 million in 2026.
- Unique Market Positioning: Centered around scientific transparency and medically supervised performance enhancement, the Enhanced Games attracted numerous marquee brands, which recognized that they were not just purchasing ad placements but investing in a new global sports franchise with long-term brand equity potential.
- Broad Audience Reach: The event was streamed for free on the Roku Sports Channel to over 100 million households, and with global digital distribution through platforms like ZOOP and Rumble, partners gained access to a young, highly engaged audience that is difficult to reach through traditional sports channels.
- Future Commercial Opportunities: Following the success of the inaugural event, the Enhanced Games plans to actively pursue additional sponsorship agreements over the next seven months, anticipating a broader commercial base for future events, thereby establishing a solid commercial foundation.
See More
Roku Launches FOX One Subscription Service for FIFA 2026
- Subscription Service Expansion: Roku includes FOX One in its U.S. premium subscription service, charging $19.99 per month, providing access to news, sports, and every match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, significantly enhancing the diversity and appeal of content on The Roku Channel.
- Market Strategy Positioning: Roku's president of subscriptions, Gil Fuchsberg, stated that this addition aims to prepare for the biggest global sports event of the year, further solidifying Roku's competitive position in the streaming market and attracting more subscribers.
- Free Trial to Attract Users: FOX One offers a 3-day free trial for eligible customers, designed to lower the initial usage barrier, thereby increasing user conversion rates and boosting long-term subscriptions.
- Sports Content Integration: Through Roku Sports Zone, users can easily discover live sports content from FOX One, including dedicated soccer destinations, enhancing Roku's competitive edge in the live sports broadcasting sector.
See More
Roku Launches FOX One Premium Subscription Service
- Service Launch: Roku has introduced the FOX One premium subscription service on The Roku Channel in the U.S., allowing users to access FOX's news, entertainment, and sports content, including all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, for $19.99 per month, significantly enhancing user content choices and viewing experiences.
- World Cup Streaming Rights: As the official English-language streaming platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, FOX One offers live and on-demand access to all 104 matches, catering to user demand for global sports events while strengthening Roku's competitive position in the streaming market.
- Content Integration Benefits: With FOX One, users can easily access popular FOX entertainment shows and sports events, such as 'MasterChef' and 'Family Guy', further enriching Roku's Premium Subscriptions content library and enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.
- Technological Innovation Support: FOX One leverages Tubi Media Group's technological innovations to optimize user experience, making it easier for audiences to discover and enjoy content, marking Roku's ongoing commitment to simplifying streaming services and solidifying its market leadership.
See More
Roku's User Growth Fuels Advertising Revenue Surge
- User Account Growth: Roku has surpassed 100 million user accounts, driving advertising revenue growth, with total revenue increasing by 22% year-over-year despite a 16% decline in device sales, showcasing the success of its business transformation.
- Accelerated Advertising Revenue: Roku's expanded partnership with Google's DV360 ad-buying platform has boosted platform revenue by 28% year-over-year to over $1.1 billion, indicating strong demand in the advertising market during major sporting events.
- Strong Subscription Revenue: Roku's subscription revenue surged 30% year-over-year to $519 million, highlighting increased user stickiness and reinforcing its position as a TV operating system for households.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Despite cyclical fluctuations in the advertising market, Roku's continued growth in users, advertising, and subscriptions suggests significant upside potential, making it an attractive option for investors.
See More
Roku's Outlook Upgraded, Price Target Raised to $160
- Price Target Increase: Baird raised Roku's price target from $130 to $160 while maintaining an 'Outperform' rating, indicating strong confidence in the company's future performance, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Revenue Outlook Boost: Roku now expects a 21% growth in full-year platform revenue to $5 billion, up from a prior forecast of 18%, with this positive outlook driving a 10% increase in shares during after-hours trading.
- Quarterly Performance Exceeds Expectations: The first-quarter platform revenue rose 28% to $1.13 billion, surpassing LSEG estimates of $1.01 billion, demonstrating a significant shift in advertising spending towards connected TVs, thereby enhancing the company's market position.
- User Growth and Challenges: Roku surpassed 100 million streaming households globally, reflecting changes in viewing habits, but device revenue fell 16% year-over-year to $118 million, with the company warning that rising memory costs will pressure margins in the second half.
See More
